Wellspring WednesdayThroughout July and August, you are invited to attend a small group sharing one of four spiritual practices important to the Transcendentalists and their emphasis on “growing the soul.” Each week, on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m., one of the four practices – writing, reading, conversation and contemplation – will be shared in a facilitated group, some online and some in person at the church.
The Transcendentalist’s four practices have been adapted to draw upon shared practices familiar in our congregation life. A day or two before the groups meet, the weekly minister’s video message shared in the church email will highlight that week’s featured practice. A brief video describing all four practices, recorded at the June overview program, can be found on our YouTube channel. No preparation for the groups will be required but pre-registration or an RSVP will be appreciated to help us prepare. Whether you’ve been wanting to try a new spiritual practice or to meet others interested in a practice you already claim, we hope you’ll try one or more (or all!) of these summer groups. July 7 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Writing as a Spiritual Practice: Theme of Justice In person, meeting at Unity Church, RSVP: http://bit.ly/JulAugWrit Engaging a practice of guided writing known as “contemplative correspondence” and prompts from Karen Hering’s book, Writing to Wake the Soul, this in-person group will focus on the theme of justice. Bring what you need to write on and with. Group leader Mary Baremore will provide the rest. (This practice will also be offered August 4, on the theme of hospitality.) July 14 • 7:00-8:30 p.m. Reading as a Spiritual Practice: Lectio Divina In person, meeting at Unity Church, led by Debbie Cushman, RSVP: http://bit.ly/JulAugLectio Online, led by Shelley Butler, register: http://bit.ly/julylectio Following a centuries-old Benedictine spiritual practice of contemplative reading, these two groups (one online and one in person) will share in Lectio Divina. As an invitation to receive the wisdom and gifts of poetry, each session will engage the group in hearing a particular poem read aloud multiple times as participants listen for “what is found there.” Rather than discussing the poem, group members lift up what they heard and how the poem spoke to them. For those who love poetry and those who wish to experience a new way to receive its gifts, this practice will be rich. Led by Shelley Butler (online) and Debbie Cushman (in person). (This practice will also be offered August 18.) July 21 • 7:00-8:30 p.m. Conversation as a Spiritual Practice: Theme of Hospitality In person, meeting at Unity Church, led by Mike Funck, RSVP: http://bit.ly/JulAugConvo Online, led by Jim Mulvey, register: http://bit.ly/julyspconvo This spiritual practice adapts the Chalice Circle process to engage conversation with special emphasis on the practice of listening. Facilitators will introduce a theme (this month, hospitality) and, as each person, in turn, shares from the heart, the group listens to receive the truths spoken and unspoken without discussion. Unlike the year-long Chalice Circles, this group is designed for drop-in participation without pre-work and without a commitment to multiple gatherings. Groups will be facilitated by Mike Funck (in person) and Jim Mulvey (online). (This practice will also be offered August 11 on the theme of belonging.) July 28 • 7:00-8:30 p.m. Contemplation as a Spiritual Practice: Meditation In person, meeting at Unity Church, led by KP Hong, RSVP: http://bit.ly/JulAugMeditate Rev. KP Hong will guide members “to the cushion” for a shared practice of Zen meditation. Whether you’ve been meditating for some time or wish to begin, this group invites you to experience the grounding and renewal of shared meditation, supported by a gifted teacher. (This practice will also be offered August 25.) |
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© Unity Church-Unitarian • 733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104 • 651-228-1456 • [email protected] • A Welcoming Congregation